Virtual Volume Storage Allocation via Chunk-Based Pool Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage control devices face complexities in managing both normal and virtual logical volumes due to different management methods for physical areas, leading to increased development costs and deteriorated write processing performance, especially when allocating data pages after table pages and requiring separate pools for them.
Innovation Solution
A storage control device that manages virtual volumes by creating a pool unit for multiple physical storage areas across multiple storage devices, allocating specified physical storage areas to virtual volumes based on write requests, and utilizing RAID groups to evenly distribute load, ensuring efficient storage area correspondence and improved response performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate management methods are used for normal logical volumes and virtual logical volumes, then both volume types can be supported, but the configuration and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management methods for normal logical volumes and virtual logical volumes into a unified approach. Both volume types are managed through the same physical area management mechanism, where physical areas are allocated in units of chunks that include multiple pages. This unified management eliminates the need for separate management methodologies, thereby reducing configuration complexity and development cost while maintaining support for both volume types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal management system that handles both normal logical volumes and virtual logical volumes through a common interface and allocation mechanism. The chunk-based management structure with nested pages serves multiple purposes: it manages physical areas for normal volumes while simultaneously enabling dynamic allocation for virtual volumes. This multi-functional approach allows a single management methodology to serve both volume types effectively.
2Stability of the object's composition
If table pages are allocated before data pages, then proper structure is established, but write processing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-allocating physical areas in units of chunks (including multiple pages) to virtual volumes before write requests arrive. This pre-allocation establishes the allocation structure in advance, eliminating the need to allocate table pages and data pages sequentially during write operations. The chunk-based pre-allocation maintains structural stability while enabling faster write processing since the physical area mapping is already established.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate pools for table pages and data pages are created, then allocation is organized, but system configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate pools for table pages and data pages into a unified pool structure. Physical areas are allocated in units of chunks that contain multiple pages, and these chunks are assigned to virtual volumes as single units. This unified pool eliminates the need to maintain separate allocation structures for table and data pages, thereby organizing allocation while simultaneously reducing system configuration complexity.
4Speed
If physical areas are allocated in advance to match current data size, then immediate storage needs are met, but future expansion requires additional allocation and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic storage allocation where virtual volumes are allocated physical areas in units of chunks that include multiple pages. When data is written to a virtual volume, the system dynamically determines how many pages within the allocated chunk are actually used. This dynamic approach allows the storage capacity to adapt to actual usage patterns, providing immediate storage availability while optimizing the quantity of physical storage consumed based on real data requirements rather than predetermined allocations.
Data Source
AI summary
The storage control device of this invention allocates the physical storage area in RAID groups to virtual volumes in units of chunks including multiple pages.To the virtual volume 5, in accordance with write accesses from the host 20, the physical storage area in the pool is allocated. A RAID group 6 in the pool includes multiple chunks 7. Each chunk 7 includes multiple pages 8. To the virtual volume 5, the physical storage area is allocated in units of chunks 7. From the allocated chunks 7, the pages 8 required for writing write data are used.